They are idiots as a general rule, but Branthwaite was more proven I would argue when Utd came in for him. So not an exact comparison. Dibling looks talented but ultimately has max half a season of PL games where he’s looked decent
Getting a Championship loan could be a decent move then. Think Doyle has been in League 1 on loan since he left, same as Ballard
Seems Alleyne is furthest along in his development then. Unsurprising if he was the one City identified at a young age. Unusual for us to develop centre backs, goalkeepers and centre backs seem to be a bit of a blind spot for our academy over the years.
Is this from what they are saying on Twitter or on their forums? Why are we actually doing a counter offer though? Why tell them exactly what we want. Seems odd
He has Mendes as an agent though. Far more likely to stir up trouble or have one club in mind to send him to due to size of agent fee
Didn’t Branthwaite have one PL season when United came in? And they wanted 70m because he was young, English, left footed and it was United. Add in defenders usually go for less than attacking players…
I think if we get close to the money and add ons we are holding out for on Dibbling it would be incredible negotiating tbh. To think a couple of years ago we lost him for next to nothing and that he's had one season where he showed flashes of brilliance but was still very raw and often in and out of a struggling team. I just really really hope we don't end up pi$$ing him off and this becoming quite ugly - affecting him, us and everyone in between. If we are confident it won't then this hardball stance is wonderful to watch play out. Love seeing us getting under the skin of PL teams now that we've stopped playing against them!
Part of playing hardball is accepting the odd player might kick up a fuss. But you cannot give in because then it ruins your negotiating strategy for future sales. If we accept a lower offer because Dibling kicks off then next time this happens players will know what to do to get their move and buying clubs will just wait for the player to become unsettled rather than paying what we want.
